We will say it again… wrong. We are of course talking about the decision by the government to increase the salaries of MPs in an effort to “cushion” their return to a normal lifestyle once out of politics.
What on earth is this government thinking? Backdated to 2008 to boot? At a time when families are scrimping and saving to celebrate Christmas, the government goes and announces that MPs are to get a whopping increase of about €600 per week. It is a case of political suicide; it really is.
Did the government even think before going ahead with this plan? Of course, we will be reminded that parliamentarians are only employed on a part-time basis (unlike ministers of course) and that their pay is a pittance when compared to other countries around the world.
Well. Let us first point out a few home truths, following which we will put forward our own proposals of what should be done with the money.
MPs tell us that they are employed on a part time basis. We will counter by saying that their appearance in parliament is also on a part time basis. One only needs to check the records to see that a good deal of MPs are hardly ever there (not ministers – who are often away on business). Ask yourselves, do you deserve a raise?
MPs and government tell us that they work really hard. Well, how about they work hard to improve our roads, our miserable wages, our overloaded health system, our outdated and thoroughly ineffective correctional system?
MPs tell us they have a hard time readjusting to life in the normal world. We ask; how hard was it to adjust to free mobile phones, a driver, perks, trips abroad, donations (kickbacks?), being waited on hand and foot and having your very heavy coats carried?
MPs tell us that they have given years of their lives to serve their country. This is not Victorian Britain or the fragile years when Malta fought for independence and sovereignty. The majority of politicians are there for the glory, the exposure, the fact that politics has become a fast track to somewhere for those who are no good at their professions and yes, the cushiness of the job.
In plain and simple terms, you do not deserve it. Most politicians (we stress, not ministers), keep working anyway. And more often than not their profession comes before politics (just ask the multitude of lawyers in the House).
There are far more deserving places that money should have gone. First and foremost, it should have gone to improving the services within parliament for those parliamentarians who truly want to work (and yes, there are some very dedicated people). An office, a fax, internet… you know, the modern essentials would be a start.
The same could have been done in the law courts. Even better, that money could have gone to those families who are struggling to adjust to the ‘new lifestyle’ of a utility bill that consumes their whole monthly income. It’s the same reasoning… the government tells us that this had been long in the pipeline and that it should have been done some time ago. Well, here’s a ding-dong for you… how about having done the same with utility bills, you know, phase them in slowly rather than ignoring reality for 20 years and then doing it overnight?
People are struggling. Not all; but a good deal of them. Christmas is set to be humbug this year (just ask the GRTU – not saints mind you – but honest in their assessment). It just fails to compute. People are broke. They are angry at you. And you go and give yourselves a whopping pay rise.
May we point out that the government told us (in 2008) that the IMF warned against wage and salary increases because it would dent productivity – and that was why no one was getting a pay rise. Here we are, in 2010, and you give yourselves a pay rise backdated to 2008… terrible form indeed.
In case people have forgotten it, we might just ask the Finance Minister to remind us about what the IMF recommended two, or so, years ago. Let us remind you, it was during a press conference when you told us that oil was skyrocketing and that something would have to be done about our power bills. Air Malta was also mentioned.
Shame on you. To those who said they are to refuse the raise, we sincerely hope you are going to refuse it with honourable intentions; if you are (and only you know it), prosit. Of all the times to pull such a stunt…